News
County Democrats Call Freeholder Race For Mallet
By Ryan Fennell
FREEHOLD - Although the numbers are unofficial and there are votes yet to be counted, the Monmouth County Democrats have declared victory for Democratic Freeholder candidate Amy Mallet.
"After 23 years of Republican control in Monmouth County - this is a new day," Mallet said to a crowd of supporters on Tuesday night. "We've run a great, solid campaign, and it's an exciting night here. Folks in Monmouth County realized it's time for us to move on and have new leadership. I'm thrilled. We have a new president and new leadership in Monmouth County. What a great day."
As of 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Mallet held a slim 18-point lead over Republican candidate John Curley.
Despite the slim margin Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery was confident in announcing to the Democratic supports that Mallet had won the election.
Mallet's running mate Glenn Mason did not receive enough votes to be elected but was encouraged by the outcome for Mallet as well as the results of the Presidential election.
"I'm disappointed but I'm not upset," Mason said. "We have a Democratic President and a Democrat as the next Freeholder of Monmouth County in my dear friend Amy Mallet."
Freeholder Barbara McMurrow (D) was in attendance and spoke in support of Mallet's victory.
"They (Mallet and Mason) have worked so hard day and night ever since March when they received the nomination. You really can't ask for more than that," McMurrow said.
McMurrow congratulated Mallet and welcomed her on-board as the next Freeholder. McMurrow addressed Mason and said, "You didn't lose you just didn't get elected yet."
"Let's keep moving forward as we move on to a new day and to the next election," McMurrow concluded.
The results are not official and could see a challenge from the Republican Party, but at present the Democrats are proceeding under the assumption of a victory. If the results stand, Mallet's election to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will mark the first time in over 22 years that the Democrats have had control of Monmouth County.
"I thank the voters of Monmouth County who had the faith in us to go to the polls and cast a vote for us because Monmouth County Democrats are alive and well," Mallet said. "We have a lot to be proud of."
Mallet was overwhelmed with emotion at the announcement by Scudiery that she had won the election. She said it was a thrilling moment and felt somewhat surreal that it was a reality after all of the work she and Mason did during their campaign.
"When you put so much work into a campaign and you're out from morning till night every day, week after week, month after month, it's surreal that the day is finally here," Mallet said. "I look forward to reaching across (to Republicans) as I look forward to working with all of you because, as we know, we have a lot of work to do."
As of Tuesday night, Mallet and Curley had identical vote percentages at 25.3 percent of the vote with 135,688 and 135,670 votes, respectively.
